EGirl
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Hi Guys!I've been lurking for a while and thought I'd make myself visible.
I'm Elaine, I live in South Dublin and keep a few hens in the back garden and I'm trying to grow an edible garden. I am interested primarily in reconnecting with the food I eat and the environment I live in (the natural though, not the M50, which is painfully close!) 
I'm also a Mum, Office Manager and a few other things besides. Ideally we would up sticks and move to the country but life won't allow that so I'm doing what I can where I can.
I have 7 hens at present, with 12 about to go in the incubator. One large cat and increasingly, the care of the neighbourhood animals! Everyone thinks I'm nuts but I'm not bothered but sometimes a little bereft of like-minded company.
I hope we can share info and offer support, thanks for having me.
Elaine 
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quarryman
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You are very welcome Elaine. You are probably one of the few Dubs that know life exists outside the M50
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blowin
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Hi Egirl and welcome to the forum  You are certainly in like-minded company . The members range from those who are just trying their first tomato on a window sill thru to very competant smallholders but we all had to start somewhere so please don't feel shy to ask questions on any level .
Someone on here was recently the subject of a nice article in the Irish Times , I think it was , ...... because he is raising both chooks and pigs in his back yard in Dublin ! So you have at least one kindred spirit as a near neighbour .
How would you like to be Social Secretary ?
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Calli
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Hello and welcome
Once you start with the chooks the only limiting factor is how many eggs you can give away 
What are the eggs you have in the incubator?
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tringle
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Hi egirl, Im originally fro Dublin, inner city and then north county. Now Im settled in Tippand love it.
Well done on keeping chicks in Dublin, do any of your neighbours have problems with it?
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Moonwaves
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More Dubs, yay! 
I'd wondered what the situation was with keeping hens. Then on Friday met a neighbour for the first time (although we both moved to the street three years ago) who has just gotten some bees and hopes to get chickens next year. Seems like lots of people are getting interested in it.
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EGirl
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Thanks for the lovely welome guys.
None of my neighbours have a problem with my keeping hens, though I did check with them first and promised not to keep cockerals. In fact they seem to think it's a good reason to ask me to feed and look after their dogs, rabbits, cats et al, while they are away.
I sell my eggs at work and can't keep up with demand, I save the proceeds for bigger garden projects, my next will be an arch to support a gate to the run and to grow something edible over it. Might take a while...
I'm just getting into this growing lark and I love it. I would be of the opinion that there is little life inside the M50, it only gets interesting once you're out of it's stranglehold! Anyway, I am where I am and it'll have to do.
The eggs are going into the Hovabator tomorrow, it seems to be holding it's temp, though the turner is a bit dodgy, might stick to hand turning this time. They are Light Sussex LF, 11 eggs courtesy of Greentree, also a member here. It's my first attempt so I'll be happy with a couple to be honest.
Don't worry, I'll have plenty of questions. I got a number of nice plants down in Ashford today, I got a gooseberry bush, broccolli plants and fennell plants - all I have to do now is find a suitable spot for them...
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quarryman
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Watch the Fennel, they will self seed everywhere, so when they do, pot them on and sell them at work.
Good luck with the growing.
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blowin
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| EGirl wrote: | | .... an arch ... and to grow something edible over it. |
I wonder whether it is too damp for Kiwi fruit to ripen outdoors over here . ( They can certainly bear heavy crops in the south of England ). If so that is a very attractive vine with broad furry leaves and pink tinted stems so you would get both jungle and fruit .
You can get self-pollinating ones , which appear to be m & f grafted onto the same rootstock .
Downside of this lovely plant is that it takes several years to come into fruit and it is incredibly vigorous . I am about to check what the experts say about pruning and will post up what I find if you are interested .
Good luck .
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EGirl
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Thanks Guys.
I'll put the Fennell in pots so. Not too sure about kiwi, not gone on them to be honest, Blowin. I was thinking of Morello cherries, but the birds will probably have a field day! I believe they do well on shady walls and have just the place and I can net them off.
Have decided to put the Brocolli in the front garden, they are purple sprouting so will look nice too. Crushed eggshells & slug pellets will hopefully keep them safe.
Wish the blo*dy weather would clear up a bit so I can get this stuff done! 
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blowin
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| EGirl wrote: | | .. Brocolli ...are purple sprouting |
Aha , "proper" brocoli , not that green cauliflower stuff ( calabrise ) which is usually sold under that name . Nice one . One of our favourite veg . Take a long time to mature ( plant out now for Jan - April harvest depending on variety ) then quite a short season but absolutely stunning , perfumed flavour when cooked really fresh . Totally different from shop-bought .
Morello sound like a great idea too .
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wayland
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Hi and welcome Egirl. I started incubating this year but all I seem to get is cockerels.  Trying to breed the ideal table bird I am
Cheers.
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EGirl
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Thanks Wayland. I'll be happy with live chicks, but will have to eat any cockerals. First time incubating and first killing etc. A bit nervous but determined to raise and prepare my own food, at least once.
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blowin
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Yep , the first time is quite an experience in a lot of ways . Certainly confronts you with a bit of hard reality and perhaps puts a different perspective on some things . I don't think anyone finds it easy so don't be shy if you need a bit of moral support when the time comes
On a practical level it is good to have someone with experience explain and demonstrate the prefered method and preferably be on hand the first time . You might like to invite a PM from anyone who could help in this way .
Sounds like you are moving ahead in leaps and bounds .
What is your secret 
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admin
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Within the spirit of this forum ( and to avoid my prosecution and its closure ) I should add as a general statement that any advice given assumes that the prefered method is within all the relevant Regulations etc , whatever they may be at the time of this deed which may or may not happen at some time in the future .
We don't encourage anyone to break any laws but we are pragmatic enough to recognise that things happen .
If you know what I mean .
Thin ice comes to mind here ! I think I had better shut up !
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EGirl
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Noted Admin! Thanks
I'm just curious guys, no secret. I love my chooks and am finding the whole experience facinating. I grew up here in south dublin in a suburban 3 bed semi, nothing fancy. My Dad had kept ducks and hens in the garden when he was a lad, but that's the extent of our history in animal husbandry. He did teach me, by example, that if you have an interest, his is trains & bikes, you can amuse and delight yourself by putting some work and time into doing it, whatever 'it' is, well. I've always had a strong interest in all things biological, animal & medical, and read voraciously, so it seems natural to put some of the interest & knowledge to practical use.
I only wish I'd had such focus when I was studying and trying to find my niche in the world, but not ancient yet, so reckon I might have 30 or 40 years of doing what I want to, and meeting like minded people along the way.
Anyone interested in having a day in Dublin to assist with the slaughter and preparation of my birds, pm me and we'll arrange something when the time comes.
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admin
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wayland
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Dublin is not too far away from us. So perhaps myself and OH might be able to come and give you a hand if you need it.
Cheers.
P.S. Chooks are best gutted out side in a cross wind so pick a dry day. If you get my drift
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